UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  PUBLICATIONS 

COLLEGE  OF  AGRICULTURE 
AGRICULTURAL  EXPERIMENT  STATION 

Berkeley,  California 


Three  Years'  Work  of  the  Ferndale  (Humboldt 
County)  Cow  Testing  Association 


BY 


LEROY  ANDERSON 


BULLETIN  233 

BERKELEY,  CAL.,  SEPTEMBER,  1912 


Friend  Wm.  Richardson,  Superintendent  of  State  Printing 

SACRAMENTO,    CALIFORNIA 

1912 


Benjamin  Ide  Wheeler,  President  of  the  University. 

EXPERIMENT  STATION  STAFF. 

E.  J.  Wickson,  M.A.,  Director  and  Horticulturist. 

E.  W.  Hilgard,  Ph.D.,  Ll.D.,  Chemist   (Emeritus). 
W.  A.  Setchell,  Ph.D.,  Botanist. 

Lerot  Anderson,  Ph.D.,  Dairy  Industry. 
M.  E.  Jaffa,  M.S.,  Nutrition  Expert. 

R.  H.  Loughridge,  Ph.D.,  Soil  Chemist  and  Physicist   (Emeritus). 
C.  W.  Woodworth,  M.S.,  Entomologist. 

Ralph  E.   Smith,  B.S.,  Plant  Pathologist  and  Superintendent  of  Southern  California 
Pathological  Laboratory  and  Experiment  Station. 

F.  R.  Marshall,  B.S.A.,  Animal  Industry. 

G.  W.  Shaw,  M.A.,  Ph.D.,  Experimental  Agronomist  and  Agricultural  Technologist,  in 

charge  of  Cereal  Stations. 

B.  A.  Etcheverry,  B.S.,  Irrigation  Expert. 
F.  T.  Bioletti,  M.S.,  Viticulturist. 

W.  T.  Clarke,  B.S.,  Assistant  Horticulturist  and  Superintendent  of  University  Exten- 
sion  in   Agriculture. 
John  S.  Burd,  B.S.,  Chemist,  in  charge  of  Fertilizer  Control. 
J.  E.  Coit,  Ph.D.,  Pomologist,  Riverside. 

C.  B.  Lipman,  Ph.D.,  Soil  Chemist  and  Bacteriologist. 

George  E.  Colby,  M.S.,  Chemist  (Fruits,  Waters,  and  Insecticides),  in  charge  of  Chem- 
ical Laboratory. 
H.  J.  Quayle,  M.S.,  Assistant  Entomologist. 
H.  M.  Hall,  Ph.D.,  Assistant  Botanist. 
C.  M.  Haring,  D.V.M.,  Veterinarian  and  Bacteriologist. 
E.  B.  Babcock,  B.S.,  Agricultural  Education. 
W.  B.  Herms,  M.A.,  Assistant  Entomologist. 
W.  T.  Horne,  B.S.,  Assistant  Plant  Pathologist. 
L.  M.  Davis,  B.S.,  Assistant  Dairy  Industry. 
W.  W.  Bonns,  M.S.,  Assistant  Pomologist. 

A.  J.  Gaumnitz,  Assistant  Agronomist,  University  Farm,  Davis. 
T.  F.  Hunt,  B.S.,  Assistant  Plant  Pathologist. 

P.  L.  McCreary,  B.S.,  Chemist  in  Fertilizer  Control. 

E.  H.  Hagemann,  Assistant  in  Dairying,  Davis. 

R.  M.  Roberts,  Farm  Manager,  University  Farm,  Davis. 
J.  I.  Thompson,  B.S.,  Assistant  Animal  Industry,  Davis. 
J.  C.  Bridwell,  B.S.,  Assistant  Entomologist. 
L.  Bonnet,  LA.,  Assistant  Viticulturist. 

F.  C.  H.  Flossfeder,  Assistant  in  Viticulture,  University  Farm,  Davis. 
P.  L.  Hibbard,  B.S.,  Assistant  Fertilizer  Control  Laboratory. 

C.  H.  McCharles,  M.S.,  Assistant  Agriculture  Chemical  Laboratory. 

B.  A.  Madson,  B.S.A.,  Assistant  Experimental  Agronomist. 

Walter  E.  Packard,  M.S.,  Field  Assistant  Imperial  Valley  Investigation,  El  Centre 
S.  S.  Rogers,  B.S.,  Assistant  Plant  Pathologist,  Plant  Disease  Laboratory,  Whittier. 

C.  O.  Smith,  M.S.,  Assistant  Plant  Pathologist,  Plant  Disease  Laboratory,  Whittier. 

E.  H.  Smith,  M.S.,  Assistant  Plant  Pathologist. 

C.  L.  Roadhouse,  D.V.M.,  Assistant  in  Veterinary  Science. 

F.  M.  Hayes,  D.V.M.,  Assistant  Veterinarian. 
P.  S.  Burgess,  M.S.,  Assistant  Soil  Chemist. 
W.  F.  Gericke,  B.S.,  Assistant  Soil  Chemist. 

M.  E.  Stover,  B.S.,  Assistant  in  Agriculture  Chemical  Laboratory. 

H.   S.  Baird,  B.S.,  Assistant  Dairy  Industry. 

W.  H.  Volck.  Field  Assistant  in  Entomology,  Watsonville. 

E.  L.  Morris,  Field  Assistant  in  Entomology,  San  Jose. 

E.  E.  Thomas,  B.S.,  Assistant  Chemist,  Plant  Disease  Laboratory,  Whittier. 
A.  B.  Shaw,  B.S.,  Assistant  in  Entomology. 

G.  P.  Gray,  M.S.,  Chemist  in  Insecticides. 

H.   D.   Young,   B.S.,   Assistant   in   Agricultural   Chemistry,   Plant   Disease   Laboratory. 

Whittier. 
A.  R.  Tylor,  B.S.,  Assistant  in  Plant  Pathology,  Plant  Disease  Laboratory,  Whittier. 
W.  V.  Cruess,  B.S.,  Assistant  in  Zymology. 
J.  F.  Mitchell,  D.V.M.,  Assistant  in  Veterinary  Laboratory. 
W.  A.  Boys,  B.S.,  Assistant  Cerealist. 
M.  R.  Miller,  B.S.,  Assistant  Chemist  in  Insecticides. 

F.  H.  Wilson,  B.S.,  Assistant  in  Soil  Chemistry. 
W.  M.  Mertz,  Assistant  in  Pomology,  Riverside. 

Anna  M.  Lute,  A.B.,  Scientific  Assistant,  U.  S.  Dept.  of  Agriculture. 
J.  C.  Roper,  Patron,  University  Forestry  Station,  Chico. 
E.  C.  Miller,  Foreman,  Forestry  Station,  Chico. 

D.  L.  Bunnell,  Secretary  to  Director. 


COW  TESTING  ASSOCIATIONS. 


OBJECT. 

The  cow  testing  association  is  a  plan  of  cooperation  among  dairymen 
for  the  purpose  of  regularly  and  economically  testing  their  cows  for 
production  of  milk  and  butter  fat.  There  is  no  data  showing  the 
average  production  of  cows  in  California.  A  usual  estimate  places  it  at 
175  pounds  of  butter  per  cow  per  year.  In  these  days  people  who 
ere  familiar  with  dairying  think  in  terms  of  butter  fat,  and  if  the 
above  average  be  translated  to  fat  it  makes  about  150  pounds.  At  30 
cents  per  pound,  which  has  been  the  average  price  for  the  past  three 
years,  the  annual  income  per  cow  is  $45.00.  Possibly  a  cow  can  be 
kept  for  this  amount  in  some  parts  of  the  State,  as  for  instance  on 
the  hill  ranges  of  the  coast,  but  in  other  sections  the  cost  is  known  to 
be  greater. 

If  the  above  figures  are  taken  as  a  foundation,  it  is  very  apparent 
that  there  are  many  cows  in  the  State  which  are  not  paying  the  cost 
of  their  keeping.  The  average  production  might  be  even  greater  and 
still  there  would  be  many  cows  not  yielding  a  profit,  for  with  a  higher 
average  there  must  be  cows  producing  100  to  125  pounds  of  butter  to 
offset  those  giving  from  300  to  400  pounds  which  are  known  to  exist 
because  of  actual  tests.  Suffice  it  to  say  that  the  use  of  the  scales  and 
the  Babcock  test  has  discovered  in  every  herd  tested  some  cows  that 
do  not  pay  cost  of  keeping.  These  robbers  must  be  apprehended,  if 
dairying  is  to  be  made  as  profitable  a  business  as  it  ought  to  be  and 
as  it  has  a  right  to  be  under  proper  management. 

There  is  no  means  of  knowing  what  a  cow  is  producing  without 
weighing  and  testing  her  milk  at  regular  intervals.  A  dairyman 
selling  milk  by  volume  may  not  be  concerned  in  the  butter  fat  content 
further  than  is  necessary  to  keep  up  to  legal  standard,  but  one  who  is 
selling  butter  fat  is  vitally  concerned  in  the  amount  of  fat  each  cow 
produces.  Since  the  great  majority  are  selling  butter  fat,  the  question 
of  fat  content  becomes  one  of  statewide  financial  importance.  Each 
dairyman  may  test  his  own  cows,  but  facing  the  condition  squarely  it 
is  known  that  very  few  do.  At  a  dairyman's  meeting  a  few  months 
since,  this  point  was  raised  —  that  a  testing  association  was  unnecessary 
because  each  individual  could  test  his  own  cows.  The  question  was 
then  asked :  ' '  How  many  present  have  Babcock  testers  ? ' '  About  twelve 
out  of  a  gathering  of  fifty  responded  in  the  affirmative.  The  next  ques- 
tion was:  "How  many  of  you  who  have  Babcock  testers  use  them?" 
Only  one  answered  in  the  affirmative.  This  represents  conditions  quite 
as  they  are  found  universally.     The  majority  of  dairymen  do  not  own 


460  UNIVERSITY  OF   CALIFORNIA EXPERIMENT  STATION. 

a  Babcock  tester  and  of  those  who  do  own  one,  about  one  in  twelve 
uses  it. 

The  object  of  cow  testing  associations  is  to  make  the  use  of  scales  and 
Babcock  machine  a  community  affair  —  to  unite  the  dairymen  into  a 
partnership  for  the  purpose  of  employing  a  trained  man  to  visit  each 
herd  at  regular  monthly  intervals  and  weigh  and  test  the  milk  of  each 
cow.  At  the  end  of  the  year,  this  man  gives  each  dairyman  a  record 
of  the  individuals  in  his  herd  with  little  work  or  trouble  to  him  and 
at  a  cost  of  about  one  dollar  per  cow. 

HISTORY. 

Cow  testing  associations  originated  in  Denmark  in  1895,  in  which 
year  two  organizations  were  formed.  They  were  so  successful  in  that 
country  that  the  movement  soon  spread  to  other  European  countries 
where  dairying  is  a  prominent  industry.  In  1909  the  number  of  asso- 
ciations is  given  as  follows:*  Denmark  530,  Germany  207,  Sweden  662, 
Norway  146,  Finland  99,  Russia  52,  Scotland  13. 

The  first  association  in  the  United  States  was  organized  at  Fremont. 
Michigan,  in  1905,  by  Helmer  Rabild,  now  in  charge  of  Dairy  Farming 
Investigations  in  the  Bureau  of  Animal  Industry,  Washington,  D.  C. 
This  association  had  31  members  and  239  cows  completed  the  first  year 's 
test.  Since  that  time  similar  associations  have  been  organized  in  prac- 
tically all  of  the  leading  dairy  states. 

California  has  three  associations  in  active  operation.  The  first  one 
was  organized  in  1909  in  Humboldt  County  by  Mr.  C.  L.  Mitchell,  then 
Dairyman  with  the  United  States  Department  of  Agriculture.  This  is 
called  the  Ferndale  Cow  Testing  Association  and  its  records  from  the 
basis  of  this  bulletin.  Two  others  were  organized  by  the  assistance 
of  the  writer  early  in  the  present  year  —  one  at  Modesto,  known  as  the 
Stanislaus  Cow  Testing  Association,  and  the  second  at  Tulare,  known  as 
the  Tulare  Cow  Testing  Association. 

ORGANIZATION. 

Any  community  in  which  dairying  is  a  leading  industry  may  usually 
form  a  cow  testing  association.  The  number  of  cows  represented  in 
California  associations  varies  from  700  to  1,300  and  the  membership 
varies  from  twenty-two  to  thirty  dairymen.  Theoretically,  there  should 
be  twenty-six  members,  since  there  are  twenty-six  working  days  in  the 
month,  and  an  average  of  about  forty  cows  in  each  dairy.  In  practice, 
the  number  of  cows  is  the  most  important  element  and  the  number  of 
members  is  easily  adjusted.  In  a  community,  therefore,  where  the 
requisite  number  of  cows  is  owned  within  a  radius  of  three  to  five  miles, 


♦Circular  179.     Bureau  of  Animal  Industry,  U.  S.  Department  of  Agriculture — Cow 
Testing  Associations. 


Bulletin  233]  cow  TESTING  ASSOCIATIONS.  461 

the  dairymen  should  take  steps  to  form  an  association.  This  bulletin 
is  meant  to  give  necessary  directions  and  helps,  and  the  writer  will 
gladly  respond  to  correspondence  for  further  information  or  for  per- 
sonal assistance  in  the  field.  The  University  believes  firmly  in  the 
usefulness  of  cow  testing  associations,  and  will  do  everything  within 
its  means  to  aid  in  their  extension. 

A  temporary  organization  may  be  effected  in  the  beginning  by 
appointing  a  committee  to  draw  up  a  form  of  contract  and  secure 
signatures.  The  initiative  may  be  taken  by  the  dairymen  themselves, 
or  by  any  farmers'  organization  that  is  in  existence  in  the  community, 
such  as  the  Grange  or  the  Farmers'  Educational  and  Cooperative 
Union.  The  attention  of  such  organizations  is  urgently  directed  toward 
cow  testing  associations  as  a  very  practical  means  of  attaining  some  of 
the  objects  for  which  they  are  working.  Cooperative  creameries  and 
creamery  companies  ought  also  to  be  foremost  in  promoting  testing 
associations  among  their  patrons. 

As  soon  as  enough  members  have  been  secured  to  assure  the  success 
of  an  association  a  meeting  of  the  signers  should  be  called.  At  this 
meeting  the  permanent  organization  is  perfected.  Officers  are  elected, 
usually  three,  consisting  of  president,  vice-president,  and  secretary- 
treasurer.  In  addition  to  these  two  or  four  members  are  chosen  to  act 
with  the  three  officers  as  a  board  of  directors  and  by-laws  are  adopted 
for  the  government  of  the  association.  Copies  of  contracts  and  by-laws 
will  be  found  in  the  appendix  of  this  bulletin. 

THE    TESTER   AND    HIS    WORK. 

The  most  important  man  in  an  association  is  the  one  who  weighs  and 
tests  the  milk  and  keeps  the  records  —  or  the  tester,  as  he  is  known. 
He  is  engaged  by  the  board  of  directors  and  works  under  their  direction 
—  or  more  immediately  under  the  secretary  who  is  the  association's 
executive  officer.  The  tester  should  be  a  man  of  fairly  mature  years 
and  of  some  technical  training.  It  is  better,  also,  if  he  has  had  some 
practical  dairy  experience.  The  usual  wage  for  the  tester  in  California 
is  sixty  dollars  per  month  in  addition  to  board  and  lodging.  He  is  also 
provided  with  a  horse  and  wagon  to  convey  himself  and  his  testing 
outfit  from  dairy  to  dairy.  He  and  his  horse  are  provided  for  at  the 
ranch  where  he  is  working. 

The  tester  visits  each  dairy  one  day  in  each  month.  He  weighs  and 
samples  the  milk  of  each  cow  at  the  evening  and  morning  milking  and 
tests  the  combined  sample  for  butter  fat.  The  amount  of  milk  and 
fat  produced  in  the  twenty-four  hours  multiplied  by  the  number  of 
days  in  the  month  is  taken  as  the  cow's  monthly  production.  Before 
leaving  the  dairy,  the  tester  makes  the  calculations  so  that  he  may 


462 


UNIVERSITY  OF   CALIFORNIA — EXPERIMENT  STATION. 


leave  with  the  dairyman  the  record  of  each  cow  doAvn  to  date.  If  there 
are  more  cows  in  one  herd  than  he  can  test  in  one  day  he  weighs  and 
samples  from  all  the  first  day  and  takes  a  second  day  to  complete  the 
tests  and  records.  The  accompanying  page  shows  a  style  of  record  in 
use  in  California.  Each  page  may  contain  a  cow's  record  for  the 
entire  year.  The  dairyman  has  a  copy  and  the  tester  or  secretary  of 
the  association  keeps  a  copy. 


Fig.  1. — The  tester  at  work,  Ferndale. 

The  testing  outfit  consists  of  a  twenty-four  bottle  hand  Babcock 
tester  with  necessary  glassware,  sample  bottles,  spring  balances,  milk 
pail  for  weighing,  and  appliances  for  heating  water.  The  spring  bal- 
ance should  have  two  pointers,  one  adjustable  so  that  it  may  be  set  at 
zero  with  the  pail  on.  The  balances  should  be  graduated  to  tenths  of 
a  pound  instead  of  ounces.  A  very  convenient  form  of  sample  bottle 
is  one  6^  inches  high  and  1|  inches  inside  diameter.  It  is  the  same 
size  from  top  to  bottom  and  has  a  large  cork  on  the  top  of  which  may 
be  carved  the  number.  Detailed  lists  may  be  found  in  the  appendix 
of  this  bulletin. 

In  European  countries  and  in  the  eastern  states  one  of  the  duties  of 
a  tester  is  to  weigh  and  keep  a  record  of  food  consumed  by  the  cows. 
This  has  not  yet  been  done  in  California.  Such  a  large  portion  of 
dairy  feeding  in  this  State  is  in  pasturage  that  the  tester  has  not  been 
called  upon  to  make  any  calculations  of  food  cost.  On  this  account  he 
is  able  to  test  more  cows  than  is  usual  in  other  states.  California 
dairymen  should  know  the  cost  of  feed,  and  it  is  hoped  that  in  the  near 
future  this  may  also  become  an  object  of  organized  research. 


Bulletin  233]  cow  TEstING  ASSOCIATIONS.  463 

THE   COST. 

The  charge  to  the  dairyman  for  testing  varies  in  California  from  80 
cents  to  $1.50  a  year  for  each  cow.  This  variation  is  due  to  the  number 
of  cows  in  the  associations  and  to  the  size  of  individual  herds.  The 
Ferndale  Association,  which  has  over  1,200  cows,  charges  80  cents  to  all 
members  having  50  or  more  cows  tested,  and  $1.00  per  cow  to  members 
having  less  than  50  cows.  The  Stanislaus  Association  with  700  cows 
charged  $1.50  per  cow,  because  it  was  necessary  in  order  to  have  suffi- 
cient funds  to  operate  the  association.  The  Tulare  Association  had 
more  cows  than  Stanislaus  and  charged  $1.25  per  cow.  Additional 
details  may  be  found  in  the  contracts  in  the  Appendix.  The  following 
items  of  expense  need  to  be  considered  in  forming  an  association : 

Estimated  Expenses  for  First  Year. 

Salary  of  tester,  12  months  at  $60 $720  00 

Testing  outfit   (approximately)   75  00 

Sulfuric  acid,  6  carboys  at  about  $3.50 21  00 

Printing   and   binding   record   blanks    (1,000   in   duplicate)    and 

tester's  dairy  sheets 25  00 

Horse  and  buggy  for  use  of  tester 250  00 

Total $1,091  00 

The  testing  outfit  and  sulfuric  acid  are  usually  purchased  from  one 
of  the  dairy  supply  houses  in  San  Francisco  or  Los  Angeles.  The 
printing  is  done  by  the  local  printer.  It  is  best  to  have  the  record 
sheets  bound  into  books  of  varying  sizes  to  accommodate  the  size  of 
herds. 


464 


UNIVERSITY  OF   CALIFORNIA EXPERIMENT  STATION. 


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COW  TESTING  ASSOCIATIONS. 


465 


Fig.   2. — Betsie.     Jersey,   Holstein,  and  Shorthorn  blood.      Herd  No.   8. 
fat  production  in  1911  in  Ferndale  Association. 


Highest 


Year. 

1909 
1910 
1911 


Months  in  milk.  Pounds  milk.  Pounds  fat. 

9  9,463              485.4 

9  10,119              483.5 

11  12,644               609.7 


Average 10,742 


526.2 


Fig.   3. — Mini.     Grade  Shorthorn.     Highest  record  for  milk  production  in  1911 
in  Ferndale  Association,  14,071  pounds  of  milk;   460.7  pounds  of  fat. 


466  UNIVERSITY  OF   CALIFORNIA — EXPERIMENT  STATION. 

THREE  YEARS'  RECORD  OF  THE  FERNDALE  COW  TESTING 

ASSOCIATION. 

Through  the  courtesy  of  officers  and  members  of  the  Ferndale  Asso- 
ciation, the  writer  has  been  given  access  to  the  records  of  the  association 
since  its  organization  in  the  winter  of  1909.  Eight*  members  have 
been  in  the  association  from  the  beginning  and  the  records  of  their 
herds  have  been  studied  to  learn  the  results  of  testing  according  to  the 
plan  described  in  the  foregoing  pages.  These  herds  comprise  approxi- 
mately 600  cows  or  about  one  half  the  total  number  under  test  each 
year.  All  calculations  have  been  checked  and  verified  so  that  it  is  safe 
to  say  all  mechanical  errors  have  been  eliminated.  That  few  errors 
were  found  bears  witness  to  the  careful  work  of  those  who  have  occupied 
the  position  of  tester  in  the  Ferndale  Association. 

The  Eel  River  lands  near  the  ocean  in  Humboldt  County  will  be 
recalled  as  one  of  the  most  highly  specialized  dairy  sections  in  the  State. 
The  soil  is  rich  and  usually  well  watered  by  a  generous  rainfall,  and 
the  ground  water  is  not  many  feet  from  the  surface.  Such  pasture 
grasses  as  rye  grass  and  white  clover  grow  luxuriantly  during  the  late 
winter,  spring  and  early  summer,  and  at  those  seasons  grazing  affords 
the  only  feed.  As  the  pastures  begin  to  dry,  the  cows  are  fed  roots, 
beginning  with  a  few  turnips  and  following  with  carrots  and  beets. 
The  fall  and  winter  feed  consists  of  hay  supplemented  by  roots  so  far 
as  possible  to  cows  that  are  in  milk.  The  usual  hay  crop  is  of  Italian 
rye  grass  and  red  clover,  but  in  later  years  red  clover  has  not  produced 
well.  Alfalfa  is  grown  only  in  small  quantities.  These  excellent  feed 
conditions  have  had  great  influence  in  developing  Humboldt  county 
dairy  cows  and  in  producing  the  high  average  yield  of  butter  fat  shown 
in  the  accompanying  records. 

The  rolling  and  hilly  lands  to  the  south  and  east  of  the  Eel  River 
bottoms  are  likewise  devoted  to  dairying.  Here  the  pasturing  season  is 
shorter  and  on  many  ranches  the  grasses  are  not  so  luxuriant.  More 
supplementary  feeding  is,  therefore,  practiced  and  grains  are  more  apt 
to  be  found  as  a  part  of  the  ration.  Little  if  any  grain  is  fed  in  the 
dairies  on  the  bottom  lands. 

Owing  to  heavy  rains  in  the  winter  season  it  is  the  custom  to  have 
most  of  the  cows  dry  at  that  time.  Thus,  during  the  first  three  years 
of  the  testing  association,  the  records  began  March  15th.  The  tendency 
seems  to  be,  however,  to  begin  the  testing  year  at  an  earlier  date  and 
in  1912  it  was  set  at  February  15th.  The  records  as  summarized  in 
this   bulletin   contain  lactation   periods   of  six  months   or   over.     All 


♦Advance  press  reports  gave  the  number  of  members  as  nine.  Since  one  member 
was  in  the  association  but  two  years,  1910  and  1911,  it  has  been  thought  best  not  to 
include  his  herd. 


Bulletin  233] 


COW  TESTING  ASSOCIATIONS. 


467 


records  of  cows  having  a  lactation  period  of  less  than  six  months  are  not 
included. 

The  records  of  the  cows  belonging  to  the  eight  members  of  the  Fern- 
dale  Association  are  summarized  in  Tables  I  and  II. 


Table  I. 


Total  and  Average  Production  of  Eight  Herds  Arranged  oy  Years. 
1909. 


Herd  number. 

Number 
of  cows. 

Total 
pounds  milk. 

Average 
pounds  milk. 

Total 
pounds  fat. 

Average 
pounds  fat. 

1 

2 

3 

4 

76 
68 
47 

123 
74 

119 
44 
30 

505,539 
382,584 
299,474 
724,349 
356,488 
677,904 
285,107 
196,326 

6,652 
5,626 
6,372 
5,889 
4,817 
5,697 
6,480 
6.544 

27,258.2 
13,953.8 
15,198.9 
27,975.1 
14,208.6 
25,956.5 
11,276.4 
10,022.3 

358.6 
205.2 
323.4 
227.4 

5 

192.0 

6 

218.1 

256.3 

8 

334.1 

Average 

581 

5,900 

251.0 

1910. 

Herd  number. 

Number 
of  cows. 

Total 
pounds  milk. 

Average 
pounds  milk. 

Total 
pounds  fat. 

Average 
pounds  fat. 

1 

69 
69 
56 

121 
84 

134 
34 
34 

460,007 
435,324 
333,220 
858,031 
549,336 
788,868 
238,439 
232,899 

6,667 
6,309 
5,950 
7,091 
6,540 
5,887 
7,013 
6,850 

23,913.9 

16,888.8 
16,417.5 
33,845.9 
22,367.4 
31,276.4 
9,859.8 
11,896.1 

346.5 

2 

244.8 

3 

293  2 

4 

279.7 

5 

266  3 

6 

233  4 

7 

290  0 

8 

349  9 

601 

6,483 

277.0 

1911. 


Herd  number. 

Number 
of  cows. 

Total 
pounds  milk. 

Average 
pounds  milk. 

Total 
pounds  fat. 

Average 
pounds  fat. 

1 

80 
67 
57 

123 
73 

140 
36 
33 

521,065 
454,532 
309,440 
932,684 
481,332 
959,127 
294,513 
243,691 

6,513 
6,784 
5,428 
7,583 
6,593 
6,851 
8,181 
7,384 

27,639.9 
17,402.2 
15,261.9 
37,094.8 
19,084.2 
36,685.6 
12,086.5 
12,284.0 

345  5 

2 

259  7 

3 

267  7 

4 . 

301  6 

5 

261  4 

6 

262  0 

7 

335  7 

8 

372.2 

Average 

609 

6,890 

291.5 

. 

468 


UNIVERSITY  OP  CALIFORNIA — EXPERIMENT  STATION. 


Fig.  4. — Selma.     Grade  Shorthorn.     Herd  No.  2. 

Ypar-  Age.    Months  in  milk.     Pounds  milk.  Pounds  fat. 

1910 3  9  4,703  155.2 

1911 4  10  7,787  250.4 

Average 6,245  202.8 


Fig.   5. — Jacob.     Grade  Shorthorn.     Herd  No.  2. 

Year.  Months  in  milk.     Pounds  milk.  Pounds  fat. 

1910  10  9,913  368.6 

1911  10  11,015  415.3 

Average  10,464  392.0 


Bulletin  233] 


COW  TESTING  ASSOCIATIONS. 


469 


Fig.   6. — Jennie.     Grade  Shorthorn.     Herd  No.  8.    A  type  of  cow  of  which  there 
are  many  in  Humboldt  County. 

Year.                                                                                     Age.    Months  in  milk.     Pounds  milk.  Pounds  fat. 

1909    6              9                  9,765  391.0 

1910    7             10                11,119  427.7 

1911    8             11                11,505  445.2 

Average 10,796  421.3 


Fig.   7. — Queen.     High  Grade  Jersey.     Herd  No.  8. 

Year.                                                                                     Age.    Months  in  milk.     Pounds  milk.  Pounds  fat. 

1909 3              9                  6,342  332.5 

1910 4             10                10,077  548.5 

1911 5            11                 7,378  376.6 

Average 7,932  419.2 


470  UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA — EXPERIMENT  STATION. 

Table  II.     Summary  of  Average  Production  for  each  Year. 


Tear. 

Number 
of  cows. 

Average 
pounds  milk. 

Average 
pounds  fat. 

Gain 
pounds  fat. 

1909 

581 
601 
609 

5,900 
6,483 
6,890 

251.0 

277.0 
291.5 

1910   

26.0 

1911    

14.5 

The  record  shows  a  total  gain  of  approximately  40  pounds  of  fat  per 
cow  in  1911.  At  30  cents  per  pound  this  is  an  average  gain  of  $12.00 
per  cow.  If  the  cost  of  testing  is  put  at  $1.00  per  cow  per  year,  this 
shows  a  net  gain  of  $9.00.  In  other  words,  the  dairyman  has  made 
$4.50  per  cow  per  year  during  1910  and  1911  above  the  total  cost  of 
testing,  from  the  knowledge  which  the  testing  gave  him  of  his  herd. 

If  this  gain  of  $4.50  were  possible  with  eight  dairymen  and  600  cows, 
it  might  have  been  possible  with  the  10,000  cows  which  are  said  to  be 
in  the  Ferndale  district.  In  that  case  there  would  have  been  an  annual 
net  increase  of  $45,000  distributed  in  the  district  during  the  years  of 
1910  and  1911. 

The  annual  rainfall  for  the  past  three  years  has  an  important  bearing 
upon  the  interpretation  of  the  records.  The  precipitation  of  1909  was 
5.75  inches  above  normal,  while  that  of  1910  and  1911  was  16.24  inches 
and  16.04  inches,  respectively,  below  normal.  In  spite  of  the  great 
decrease  in  rainfall  during  the  last  two  years  and  its  resultant  effect 
upon  grazing  and  feed  conditions  in  general,  the  average  production  of 
milk  and  fat  increased.  Two  herds,  however,  show  a  decrease  in  pro- 
duction as  will  be  seen  by  reference  to  Table  III.  Herd  No.  3  is  situated 
on  rolling  land  where  lack  of  rainfall  is  most  felt  and  shortage  of  feed 
seems  to  be  chiefly  responsible  for  the  decrease  in  production.  Herd 
No.  1  is  situated  partly  on  low  land  and  partly  on  rolling  land.  Herd 
No.  5  shows  a  decrease  of  five  pounds  of  fat  per  cow  from  1910  to  1911, 
but  since  there  was  an  increase  of  74.3  pounds  in  1910  over  1909,  there 
is  evidence  of  wise  selection  on  basis  of  the  test.  This  herd  and  likewise 
No.  6  are  on  the  bottom  lands  but  heifers  are  added  to  them  frequently 
from  hill  ranges.  After  testing  for  a  year  or  two  they  are  kept  or 
turned  to  beef  according  to  their  production.  This  practice  tends 
toward  a  proportionately  large  number  of  low  producers. 

In  Table  III  the  production  of  each  herd  and  the  number  of  cows 
producing  more  or  less  than  200  pounds  of  fat  are  given.  This  is  on  the 
basis  that  200  pounds  at  30  cents  per  pound  is  necessary  to  pay  total  cost 
of  keeping  a  cow. 


Bulletin  233] 


COW  TESTING  ASSOCIATIONS. 


471 


Table  III.     Production  of  Each  of  Eight  Herds  during  Three  Years. 
Herd  Number  1. 


Number 
of  cows. 


Total 
pounds  milk. 


Average 
pounds  milk. 


Total 
pounds  fat. 


Average 
pounds  fat. 


Gain  or  loss 
at  30  cents  per 
pound  for  fat. 


1909 

1910 

1911 

Average  ___ 


76  505,539 

69  460,007 

80  521,065 


6,652  27,258.2 

6,667  23,913.9 

6,513  27,639.9 


225 


6,607 


358.6 
346.5 
345.5 


350.2 


-$3  63 
-      30 


-$3  93 


1909. 


Number  in  this  herd  producing  more  than  200 
pounds  of  fat 

Number  in  this  herd  producing  less  than  200 
pounds  of  fat 

Highest  individual  production  of  fat,  pounds. 
Lowest  individual  production  of  fat,  pounds.. 


74 

6 
591.9 
148.0 


Herd  Number  2. 


._,,.                      Number 
*ear-                     of  cows. 

Total 
pounds  milk. 

Average 
pounds  milk. 

Total 
pounds  fat. 

Average 
pounds  fat. 

Gain  or  loss 
at  30  cents  per 
pound  for  fat. 

1909  _ 

68 
69 
67 

382,584 
435,324 
434,532 

5,626 
6,309 
6,784 

13,953.8 
16,888.8 
17,402.2 

205.2 
244.8 
259.7 

1910 

+$11  88 

1911 

+    4  47 

Average 

204 

6,237 

236.4 

+$16  35 

1910. 


1911. 


Number  in  this  herd  producing  more  than  200 

pounds  of  fat 37 

Number  in  this  herd  producing  less  than  200 

pounds  of  fat... 31 

Highest  individual  production  of  fat,  pounds.1  306.4 

Lowest  individual  production  of  fat,  pounds..  99.4 


56 

13 

369.8 
93.3 


55 

12 

415.3 
124.1 


Herd  Number  3. 


v                           Number                Total 
xear#                     of  cows.        !  pounds  milk. 

Average 
pounds  milk. 

Total 
pounds  fat. 

Average 
pounds  fat. 

Gain  or  loss 
at  30  cents  per 
pound  for  fat. 

1909 47 

299,474 
333,220 
309,440 

6,372          15,198.9 
5,950    1      16,417.5 
5,428    ''      1K-9fl 

323.4 
293.2 
267.7 

1910 

1911  

56 

57 

-$9  06 
—  7  65 

Average 

160 

5,888 

293.0            -$16  71 

1909. 


1910. 


1911. 


Number  in  this  herd  producing  more  than  200 
pounds  of  fat 

Number  in  this  herd  producing  less  than  200 
pounds  of  fat 

Highest  individual  production  of  fat,  pounds- 
Lowest  individual  production  of  fat,  pounds.-! 


46 

1 

434.3 
194.7 


50 

6 
421.5 
132.6 


50 

7 
372.6 
137.2 


472 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA EXPERIMENT  STATION. 


Herd  Number  4. 


Year                        dumber 
*ear>                       of  cows. 

Total 
pounds  milk. 

Average 
pounds  milk. 

Total                 Average           Gain  or  loss 
pounds  fat.      I   pounds  fat.        at  30  cents  per 
;  pound  for  fat. 

1909 

123           724,349 

121               858  091 

5,889 
7,091 

7,583 

27,975.1 
33,845.9 
37,094.8 

227.4 

97Q  7 

1910 

_L«1  K    fiQ 

1911  

123 

932,684 

301.6             +    6  57 

Average 

367 

6,853 

269.5 

+$22  26 

1909. 

1910. 

1911. 

Number  in  this  herd  producing  more  than  200 
pounds  of  fat 

83 

40 

378.0 
114.3 

103 

18 

487.9 
125.1 

Ill 

Number  in  this  herd  producing  less  than  200 
pounds  of  fat 

12 

Highest  individual  production  of  fat,  pounds. 
Lowest  individual  production  of  fat,  pounds.. 

481.0 
109.1 

Herd  Number  5. 


Year. 

Number 
of  cows. 

Total 
pounds  milk. 

Average 
pounds  milk. 

Total 
pounds  fat. 

AverasP              Gaiu  or  loss 

■«»**«•  \ssssrs 

1909 

74 
84 
73 

356,488 
549,336 
481,332 

4,817          14,208.6 
6,540          22,367.4 
6,593          19.084.2 

192.0 

1910 

266.3  +$22  29 

261.4  1        —    1  47 

1911 

Average 

231 

6,005 

241.0             +$20  82 

Number  in  this  herd  producing  more  than  200 
pounds  of  fat 

Number  in  this  herd  producing  less  than  200 
pounds  of  fat 

Number  of  2  and  3  year  old  heifers  in  herd 

Highest  individual  production  of  fat,  pounds. 
Lowest  individual  production  of  fat,  pounds.. 


15 

20 

476.2 
113.4 


67 

7 

11 
383.0 
159.9 


Herd  Number  6. 


Year. 

Number 
of  cows. 

Total 
pounds  milk. 

Average 
pounds  milk. 

Total 

pounds  fat. 

Averasra          i     Gain  or  loss 

nounds  fat          at  30  cents  per 
pounds  tat.        pound  for  fat 

1 

1909 

677,904 
788,868 
959,127 

5,697 

5,887 
6,851 

25,956.5 
31,276.4 
36,685.6 

218.1 

233.4 
262.0 

1910 

1911  

134 
140 

+  $4  59 
+    8  58 

Average 

393 

6,173 

238.9 

Number  in  this  herd  producing  more  than  200 
pounds  of  fat 

Number  in  this  herd  producing  less  than  200 
pounds  of  fat 

Highest  individual  production  of  fat,  pounds. 
Lowest  individual  production  of  fat,  pounds.. 


1910. 


104 

36 

430.5 
49.0 


Bulletin  2 33 J 


COW  TESTING  ASSOCIATIONS. 


473 


Herd   Number  7. 


Year. 

Number 
of  cows. 

Total                  Average 
pounds  milk.       pounds  milk. 

Total 
pounds  fat. 

Average            Gain  or  loss 
pounds  fat.      1  at  30  cents  per 
!  pound  for  fat. 

1909   _._ __. 

44 
34 
36 

285,107 
238,439 
294,513 

6,480 
7,013 
8,181 

11,276.4 

9,859.8 

12,086.5 

256.3 
290.0 
335.7 

1910 

1911 

+$10  11 
+  13  71 

A  Average 

114 

7,176 

291.4             +$23  82 

1909. 


1910. 


1911. 


Number  in  this  herd  producing  more  than  200 
pounds  of  fat 

Number  in  this  herd  producing  less  than  200 
pounds  of  fat 

Highest  individual  production  of  fat,  pounds. 
Lowest  individual  production  of  fat,  pounds__ 


29 

5 
428.2 
172.2 


36 

0 

471.8 
211.6 


Herd  Number  8. 


Year. 


Number 
of  cows. 


Total  Average 

pounds  milk.    |  pounds  milk. 


Total 
pounds  fat. 


Average 
pounds  fat. 


Gain  or  loss 
at  30  cents  per 
pound  for  fat. 


1909 

30 
34 
33 

196,326 
232,899 
243,691 

6,544 
6,850 
7,384 

10,022.3 
11,896.1 
12,284.0 

334.1     L 

349.9 

372.2 

1910 

1911  

+  $4  74 
+    6  69 

Average    ___ 

97 

6,937 

352.6 

1 

+$11  43 

Number  in  this  herd  producing  more  than  200 
pounds  of  fat 

Number  in  this  herd  producing  less  than  200 
pounds  of  fat 

Highest  individual  production  of  fat,  pounds- 
Lowest  individual  production  of  fat,  pounds.- 


33 

0 
609.7 
212.3 


474 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA — EXPERIMENT  STATION. 


Fig.   8. — Lulu.     High  Grade  Jersey.     Herd  No.  8. 

Year.                                                                                     Age.    Months  in  milk.     Pounds  milk.  Pounds  fat. 

1909 3              9                  6,082  394.7. 

1910 4             11                  7,128  453.1 

1911 5             11                  8,753  542.7 

ATerage 7,321  463.5 


Fig.   9. — Jane.     High  Grade  Jersey. 
Year.  Age.    Months  in  milk.     Pounds  milk.     Pounds  fat. 

1910 6  11  9,515  531.6 

1911 7  10  8,597  531.5 

Average 9,056  531.5 

Herds  numbers  1,  2,  3,  7  and  9  are  headed  by  pure  bred  Jersey  bulls. 
Herd  No.  4  is  headed  by  pure  bred  Guernsey  bulls.  Herds  5  and  6  are 
headed  by  good  bulls,  but  of  not  so  direct  a  line  of  breeding.  In  some 
of  the  herds  using  pure  bred  bulls  (in  most  cases  registered)  the  work 
of  grading  up  has  been  in  progress  a  number  of  years.  For  instance, 
it  is  said  that  the  improvement  in  herd  No.  1  has  been  going  on  for 
twenty  years.     The  result  is  marked  in  the  average  yield  of  butter  fat 


Bulletin  233]  cow  TESTING  ASSOCIATIONS.  475 

for  three  years  of  350  pounds  per  cow.  This  is  excelled  by  only  one 
herd,  No.  S,  a  much  smaller  herd  and  one  also  in  which  a  pure  bred  sire 
has  been  used  many  years.  Financial  returns  are  amply  paying  for  all 
the  time  and  thought  put  into  improvement  in  these  herds,  which  are 
still  grade  herds  with  comparatively  few  registered  cows.  The  founda- 
tion cows  were  large  animals  of  Shorthorn  or  "Durham"  blood  similar 
to  those  shown  in  Figures  5  and  6. 

Herd  No.  2  in  1911  with  67  cows  produced  3448.4  pounds  more  butter 
fat  than  it  produced  in  1909  with  68  cows. 

Herd  No.  4  contained  the  same  number  (123)  of  cows  in  1911  as  in 
1909  but  produced  in  the  later  year  9119.7  pounds  more  of  butter  fat. 

Herd  No.  5  in  1911  with  73  cows  produced  4875.6  pounds  more  of 
butter  fat  than  it  produced  in  1909  with  74  cows.  This  herd  has  the 
greatest  average  increase  in  one  year,  viz.,  1910  over  1909 — 74.3  pounds 
of  fat. 

Herd  No.  7  in  1911  with  eight  less  cows  than  in  1909  produced  810 
pounds  more  of  butter  fat.  This  herd  has  the  greatest  average  increase 
in  two  years,  viz.,  1911  over  1909—79.4  pounds  of  fat.  The  detailed 
record  of  each  cow  is  given  on  page  476. 

Attention  is  especially  called  to  herd  No.  8 — beginning  in  1909 
with  30  cows  and  an  average  fat  production  of  334  pounds  —  increasing 
in  1910  by  15.8  pounds  with  34  cows  and  again  in  1911  by  22.2  pounds 
with  33  cows.  With  fat  at  30  cents  per  pound  the  average  production 
of  352.6  pounds  during  three  years  is  an  average  annual  income  per 
cow  of  $105.78.  It  is  hoped  that  the  reader  will  apply  the  financial 
test  to  all  the  gains  in  production  in  these  herds,  in  order  that  he  may 
fully  realize  the  value  of  combining  pure  bred  sires  with  a  systematic 
testing  of  each  cow. 


Fig.   10. — Olga's  Champion  97895  A.  J.  C.  C.     A  type  of  sire  heading  some  of 
the  dairy  herds  in  Humboldt  County. 


476 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA — EXPERIMENT  STATION. 


Table  IV.     Individual  Record  of  Herd  No.   7   for  Three  le«rs,   with  notes  as  to 
disposition  of  cows  in  so  far  as  the  testing  record  shows. 


Age. 

1909. 

1910. 

1911. 

Name  of  cow. 

Months 
in  milk. 

Pounds 
milk. 

Pounds 
fat. 

Months 
in  milk. 

Pounds 
milk. 

Pounds 
fat. 

Months 
in  milk. 

Pounds 
milk. 

Pounds 
tat. 

Pet 

6 
6 
2 
3 

5 

7 
8 

I 

4 
3 
4 
3 
4 
7 
3 
8 
7 
8 
7 

10 
3 
3 
2 
7 
2 
7 
6 
8 
7 
7 
8 
6 
4 
5 
6 
7 
3 

10 
3 
3 
3 
4 
9 
3 
2 
2 
2 
2 
? 

2 
9 
? 
h 

3 
6 
6 

11 
11 
11 
11 
11 
11 

8 

10 
10 
11 
11 
11 
11 

9 

9 
11 

6 

8 
10 
11 
10 
10 

7 
10 

8 
11 
11 
10 
11 
11 
11 
10 

11 
11 

10 
10 
7 
9 
9 
9 
9 
11 
8 
7 

7,747 

8,568 
5,027 
5,918 
9,508 
7,663 
5,526 
5,801 
6,107 
6,487 
4,859 
7,747 
7,056 
4,414 
7,745 
5,477 
4,001 
6,033 
8,612 
8,310 
7,511 
5,673 
3,384 
5,280 
4,788 
5,603 
8,623 
7,996 
9,611 
9,683 
8,526 
6,995 
8,527 
7,640 
6,362 
6,233 
4,256 
4,837 
5,075 
7,237 
4,980 
5,038 
5,350 
3,293 

332.0 
329.3 
191.3 
227.8 
343.4 
351.2 
180.5 
250.4 
212.5 
239.5 
246.2 
310.1 
259.1 
217.4 
295.6 
241.7 
148.6 
211.7 
279.0 
380.8 
274.7 
240.1 
150.6 
201.8 
235.6 
224.0 
318.6 
336.3 
416.0 
406.2 
272.0 
257.6 
304.0 
305.1 
260.9 
290.2 
152.4 
188.3 
222.3 
247.7 
176.7 
188.4 
190.4 
168.4 

Tips    ___ 

11 
11 

7 

11 

10 

Sold 

11 

6 

8,728 

6,775 
4,977 
8,329 
5,691 
for  be 
7,329 
6,147 

348.8 
265.8 
191.0 
308.8 
275.8 
ef. 
340.3 
217.6 

10 

11 

10 
12 
11 

8 
Sold 

8,758 
7,070 
8,119 
10,400 
7,466 

4,954 
for  bee 

340.9 
238.8 
328.1 
394.4 
326.2 

211  6 

Bertha  

Limpty  

Shorty    

Reddy    

Maud   

Edna 

Browney  

Ruffy    

f. 

Bridget 

Little  Jersey 

Shaver    

Smokey 

Lily  _„ 

11 
10 
11 
10 
10 

5,437 
7,509 
9,261 
6,156 
8,223 

272.4 
329.9 
341.7 
298.2 
341.4 

Sold. 
11 
10 
11 
10 

9,882 

10,144 

7,723 

8,784 

447.3 
372.5 
342.9 
337  7 

Bub  

Scary     

Wild  Blue  ___ 

Baldey 

Diana    __ 

Old  Blue 

Brindle    

Jennie  

10 
11 
10 

8 

9,379 
8,050 
9,251 
5,734 

311.8 
399.5 
372.0 
220.1 

10 

12 

Kille 

10 

117077 
9,180 
d. 
8,889 

356.0 
456.1 

365.5 

Blackey  

Juno  

10 

5,867 

288.1 

Sold 

for  bee 

f. 

Topsy  

Bob  _- 

9 
11 
11 
11 

7,552 
9,251 
9,190 

8,280 

276.4 
428.2 
383.2 
333.6 

10 
11 
11 

12 

10,785 
10,478 
10,706 
11,605 

395.9 

Pansy  

Longlegs 

Fitz 

467.5 
457.4 
471.8 

Pete 

Shirt  Thief 

Linie 

12 

11 

10 

6 

Sold 

9 

9 

10 

9,167 
7,601 
7,154 
4,570 
for  be 
6,446 
5,404 
9,339 

329.1 
348.2 
281.0 
196.6 
ef. 
265.0 
230.8 
334.6 

11 

10 

9 

Sold 

10 

9 

10 

10,258 

8,747 

7,013 

for  bee 

8,061 

6,322 

10,995 

358.3 

Spikie 

Seven  

Tomy  

Lonsy    

Fanny   

Old  Jersey  ___ 
Nora  

357.3 

278.6 
f. 

326.8 
250.8 
386.9 

Daisy  

Goldeka   

Topsy  (1910).- 

11 

8 

8 

10 

10 

10 

6,445 
4,795 
5,647 
5,231 
5,577 
3,947 

334.7 
175.7 
214.0 
185.3 
247.0 
172.2 

9 

Sold 

12 

12 

11 

9 

12 
11 
10 
11 
11 
11 
11 
10 

5,918 
for  bee 
9,887 
7,744 
7,866 
5,464 
7,649 
6,064 
5,626 
6,785 
5,134 
6,021 
7,634 
5,305 

293.6 
f. 

352.5 

Shanks   

275.6 

342.5 

Rosie   

Flora   (1911)  — 

Dandy  

Burnelli   

Polly   

*218.6 

309.3 

276.2 

275.6 

298.9 

298.1 

Dynamite 

Little  Katie- 
Stella  

243.2 

327.0 

306.1 

256.3 

6,480 

7,013 

290.0 

8,181 

335.7 

*Sold  for  beef. 


Of  the  original  44  cows  in  1909, 
only  24  were  retained  during  1911. 


29  were  retained  during  1910.  and 


Bulletin  233] 


COW  TESTING  ASSOCIATIONS. 


477 


APPENDIX. 


U.  S.  Weather  Bureau  Report  of  Rainfall,  Eureka,  Humboldt  County,  tcith  Variation 

from  Normal. 


1909. 

1910. 

1911. 

Total  for             Variation 
month.            from  normal. 

1 

Total  for 
month. 

Variation 
from  normal. 

Total  for 
month. 

Variation 
from  normal. 

January  

February  

March 

April 

May 

June 

July 

August 

September  ___ 

October  

November   __. 
December 

14.41             +6.82 

11.54              +4.82 

2.72             -3.46 

0.24             -4.04 

0.76             -2.07 

0.14             -1.04 

0.55              +0.46 

Trace                  -0.14 

0.61  i          -0.77 

3.78             +0.88 

12.60  '           +7.28 

4.29  i          -2.99 

7.26 
7.34 
1.97 
0.83 
0.64 
0.49 
0.00 
0.00 
0.01 
0.82 
6.86 
3.43 

-0.33 
-0.62 
-4.21 
-3.45 
-2.19 
-0.69 
-0.09 
-0.14 
-1.37 
-2.08 
+1.54 
-3.85 

8.63 
3.75 
1.45 
3.39 
3.52 
0.23 
0.00 
0.08 
0.29 
1.68 
2.09 
4.74 

+1.04 
-2.97 
-4.73 
-0.89 
+0.69 
-0.95 
-0.09 
-0.06 
-1.09 
-1.22 
-3.23 
-2.54 

Total   

51.64             +5.75 

29.65 

-16.24 

29.85 

-16.04 

II. 

Contract  of   Ferndale   Cow  Testing   Association. 

Whereas,  It  is  the  desire  of  the  undersigned  dairymen  of  Humboldt 
County,  California,  to  form  an  association,  known  as  the  Ferndale  Cow 
Testing  Association,  for  the  purpose  of  testing  the  cows  belonging  to 
said  dairymen ;  and 

Whereas,  It  will  be  necessary  that  said  association  when  formed 
draft  by-laws,  elect  officers  and  directors,  and  hire  a  tester  in  order  to 
do  said  testing ;  and 

Whereas,  In  order  to  pay  said  tester,  it  will  be  necessary  that  the 
following  rates  be  paid  by  the  members  of  said  association,  to  wit :  For 
each  member  taking  his  own  samples  for  testing,  80  cents  per  cow  per 
year.  All  members  having  less  than  twenty  cows  tested  must  take  their 
own  samples.  All  members  having  fifty  or  more  cows  tested,  who  shall 
have  samples  taken  by  tester,  shall  pay  80  cents  per  cow  per  year.  All 
members  having  less  than  fifty  cows  tested,  who  shall  have  samples  taken 
by  tester,  shall  pay  $1.00  per  cow  per  year.  The  cows  of  each  member 
are  to  be  tested  once  each  month  for  one  year.  The  tester  is  to  be  hired 
and  under  the  control  of  directors  of  said  association,  which  directors 
shall  have  the  management  and  control  of  its  affairs,  according  to  the 
judgment  of  the  majority  of  members  as  expressed  in  the  by-laws  which 
may  be  adopted  by  said  association. 


478  UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA — EXPERIMENT  STATION. 

Now,  therefore,  we,  the  undersigned,  in  consideration  of  the  premises 
and  of  the  mutual  promises  contained  herein,  do  hereby  agree  with  each 
other  and  with  the  several  signers  of  any  paper  similar  to  this,  and 
with  said  Ferndale  Cow  Testing  Association,  to  pay  to  said  Ferndale 
Cow  Testing  Association,  quarterly  in  advance,  the  annual  sums  set 
opposite  our  respective  names,  said  amount  to  be  paid  for  one  year's 
testing  of  the  number  of  cows  we  hereby  agree  to  have  tested  by  said 
association,  according  to  the  foregoing  rates;  and  in  case  any  member 
should  increase  the  number  of  cows  he  has  tested  by  said  association,  he 
shall  pay  a  proportionately  higher  amount  per  quarter  in  accordance 
with  the  foregoing  schedule  of  rates.  The  first  payment  is  to  be  made 
February  15,  1912,  and  the  succeeding  payments  are  to  be  made  on  the 
fifteenth  days  of  May,  August  and  November,  1912. 

We  further  agree — 

1.  That  the  money  collected  shall  be  applied  to  paying  the  running 
expenses  of  said  association:  that  the  said  association  shall  keep  full 
and  accurate  books  of  account  of  the  receipts  and  disbursements,  and 
of  all  business  of  said  association,  and  of  the  resolutions  and  orders  of 
the  directors:  and  the  same  shall  be  the  property  of  the  association, 
and  shall  be  open  at  all  times  to  the  examination  of  the  members  and 
to  each  of  them. 

2.  Each  member  of  said  association,  in  addition  to  the  foregoing 
rates,  shall  furnish  board  and  lodging  for  the  tester  for  at  least  one 
day  at  each  visit,  and  if  necessary  convey  him  to  his  next  place  of  work. 
Said  tester  shall  not  work  on  Sundays  but  shall  be  entitled  to  board 
and  lodging  over  Sunday  at  the  place  where  he  is  working  Saturday. 

3.  That  we  shall  not  be  required  to  pay  the  sum  subscribed  by  us 
unless  the  aggregate  of  our  subscriptions  and  contributions  to  this  object 
shall  by  the  fifteenth  day  of  February  be  equivalent  to  the  assessments 
for  1200  cows. 


Dated.  Signature.  timber 

of  cows. 


Take  own  samples? 
Yes  or  No. 


Amount. 


III. 

Contract   of  the   Stanislaus   Cow   Testing   Association. 

We,  the  undersigned  dairymen,  in  consideration  of  the  periodical  (one 
day  each  month)   testing  of  our  cows  during  the  season  of  1912  by 

,   Secretary-Treasurer  of  the   Stanislaus   Cow   Testing 

Association,  hereby  agree  to  pay  the  said ,  Secretary- 
Treasurer  of  the  Stanislaus  Cow  Testing  Association,  the  sum  of  one 
and  one  half  ($1.50)  dollars  for  every  cow  so  tested  for  us.  We  hereby 
agree  to  pay  this  sum  per  cow  in  three  installments  in  advance ;  seventy- 
five  cents  per  cow  we  will  pay  March  1,  1912;  fifty  cents  per  cow  we 


Bulletin-   233]  CQW  TESTING  ASSOCIATIONS.  479 

will  pay  June  1,  1912 ;  and  twenty-five  cents  per  cow  we  will  pay  Sep- 
tember 1.  1912. 

"We.  the  undersigned  dairymen,  further  agree  that  we  will  pay  the 
first  installment  of  seventy-five  cents  when  due  on  the  number  of  cows 
set  opposite  our  names ;  and  that  we  will  pay  the  fifty  cent  and  twenty- 
five  cent  installments  when  due  upon  the  number  of  cows  set  opposite 
our  names  and  upon  all  other  cows  tested  in  like  proportion.  It  is 
hereby  understood  that  each  member  may  be  allowed  to  replace  not  to 
exceed  one  fifth  of  the  original  number  of  cows  entered. 

"We,  the  undersigned  dairymen,  further  agree  to  provide  suitable 
board  and  lodging  for  the  agent  of  the  Stanislaus  Cow  Testing  Associ- 
ation, and  feed  and  stable  for  his  horse,  when  said  agent  is  actually 
engaged  in  testing  our  cows,  including  Sundays  and  holidays. 

It  is  hereby  understood  that  this  contract  is  not  binding  unless  seven 
hundred  '700)  cows  have  been  entered  by  the  first  of  March,  1912. 


Dated.  Signature. 


Number  of  cows. 


Amount. 


IV. 

By-Laws  of  the   Ferndale   Cow  Testing   Association. 

Article  I. 

The  name  of  this  association  shall  be  the  Ferndale  Cow  Testing  Asso- 
ciation. 

Article  II. 

The  purpose  for  which  it  is  formed  is  generally  to  promote  the  dairy 
interests  of  its  members  and  particularly  to  provide  means  and  methods 
of  improvement  of  dairy  qualities  of  cows  and  for  the  testing  of  cows 
of  the  members  not  less  than  once  a  month. 

Article  III. 
Its  principal  place  of  business  shall  be  at  Ferndale,  California. 

Article  IV. 

Section  1.  The  board  of  directors  shall  consist  of  seven  members, 
of  whom  a  majority  shall  constitute  a  quorum.  They  shall  be  elected 
annually  to  hold  office  for  one  year  and  until  the  election  of  their  suc- 
cessors, the  first  election  to  be  held  on  the  tenth  day  of  March,  1909, 
and  subsequent  elections  to  be  held  on  the  fifteenth  day  of  February  in 
each  year,  except  when  such  day  falls  on  Sunday,  in  which  case  the 
election  shall  be  held  on  the  Monday  following. 

Sec.  2.     The   board   of   directors   shall   have   the   management   and 


480  UNIVERSITY  OF   CALIFORNIA EXPERIMENT  STATION. 

control  of  the  business  of  the  association,  shall  employ  such  agents  and 
employees  as  they  deem  advisable,  and  shall  fix  the  rates  of  compen- 
sation of  all  officers,  agents,  and  employees. 

Sec.  3.  Vacancies  in  the  board  of  directors,  or  offices,  may  be  filled 
by  a  majority  vote  of  the  remaining  members  of  the  board.  The  person 
so  elected  shall  serve  for  the  remainder  of  the  unexpired  term. 

Article  V. 

The  annual  meeting  of  the  members  of  this  association  shall  be  held 
on  the  date  above  fixed  for  the  election  of  directors,  in  Ferndale,  Cali- 
fornia, at  a  place  to  be  designated  by  the  board  of  directors. 

Special  meetings  of  the  members  may  be  called  by  the  president,  or 
by  the  board  of  directors.  Notice  of  all  meetings  of  the  members  of 
the  association,  whether  annual  or  special,  should  be  given  to  the 
members  by  the  secretary,  by  mailing  to  each  member  a  written  or 
printed  notice  thereof,  at  least  five  days  prior  to  the  date  of  said 
meeting. 

Article  VI. 

The  Board  of  Directors  shall  meet  on  the  fifteenth  day  of  each  month, 
unless  there  shall  be  a  resolution  to  determine  upon  a  different  date,  at 
the  town  hall  in  Ferndale,  California,  at  the  hour  of  1.30  p.  m.  Notice 
of  such  meeting  shall  be  given  by  the  secretary  by  mailing  to  each 
director  a  written  or  printed  notice  thereof,  at  least  three  days  before 
date  of  said  meeting. 

Article  VII. 

Section  1.  The  officers  of  the  association  shall  consist  of  a  president, 
vice-president,  and  secretary-treasurer,  who  shall  have  the  usual  powers 
and  perform  the  customary  duties  incident  to  these  offices.  The  office 
of  secretary-treasurer  shall  be  held  by  one  person  who,  besides  perform- 
ing the  usual  duties  appertaining  to  the  offices  of  secretary  and  treasurer, 
shall  keep  in  a  permanent  form,  subject  to  the  direction  of  the  board  of 
directors,  the  cow  testing  records  of  members  of  the  association:  and 
who  shall  be  authorized  to  receive  all  moneys  due  the  association,  and  to 
pay  any  indebtedness  of  the  association,  and  in  general  to  transact  all 
routine  and  other  business  of  the  association  subject  to  the  direction  of 
the  board  of  directors. 

Sec.  2.  The  officers  shall  be  elected  by  the  board  of  directors  from 
among  their  number,  the  election  to  be  held  immediately  subsequent  to 
the  annual  meeting  of  the  members. 


Bulletin  233]  C0W  TESTING  ASSOCIATIONS.  4S1 

Article  VIII. 

Election  of  officers  shall  be  by  ballot,  each  member  being  entitled  to 
cast  only  one  vote  for  each  of  the  seven  directors  to  be  elected ;  provided, 
however,  that  each  member  making  payment  to  the  association  of  testing 
charges  on  more  than  twenty  cows,  shall  be  entitled  to  an  additional 
vote  (for  the  full  number  of  directors  to  be  elected)  for  each  additional 
twenty  cows  so  paid  for  by  him.  Any  member  unable  to  be  present  at 
any  meeting  of  the  association  may  be  represented  by  any  one  interested 
in  the  management  of  the  dairy  of  the  member. 

Article  IX. 

Any  dairyman  entering  into  an  agreement  with  the  officers  of  the 
association  binding  him  to  pay  the  testing  charges  for  one  year  on  the 
cows  owned  by  him  shall,  subject  to  the  approval  of  the  board  of 
directors,  be  considered  a  member  of  the  association.  Failure  to  make 
any  payments  agreed  on  as  testing  charges  shall  make  a  delinquent 
member  liable  to  suspension  which  may  be  imposed  by  the  board  of 
directors  in  such  case  at  their  option. 

Article  X. 

These  by-laws  may  be  amended,  added  to  or  altered,  by  a  majority 
vote  of  all  members  present  at  the  annual  meeting  or  at  a  special  meeting 
called  for  the  purpose,  each  member  in  such  case  being  entitled  to  one 
vote  only. 

V. 

Testing    Outfit    Ordered    by    the    Stanislaus    Cow   Testing    Association. 

1  24-bottle  Twentieth  Century  tester $23  40 

6  dozen  6"  10  per  cent  bottles  at  $1.50 9  00 

2  dozen  17.6  c.c.  pipettes  at  $1.50 3  00 

i  dozen  17.5  acid  measure 60 

§  dozen  O.  B.  skim  milk  bottles 2  80 

2  pair  dividers 45 

1  dozen  milk  test  bottle  brushes 30 

1  60-pound  automatic  scale 5  00 

1  piece  galvanized  iron  with  holes  for  utility  bath 50 

1  carboy  clear  acid  about 3  50 

1  utility  bath,  24  6-inch  bottles 1  35 

8  dozen  2-oz.  aluminum  screw  top  sample  bottles 3  00 

£  dozen  brushes  for  same 60 

3  feet  3/16"  tubing  pinch  cock  and  pipette 50 

1  oil  stove 2  00 

1  copper  kettle  with  nipple  and  tubing  attachment 2  15 

2  glass  stopper  bottles  for  acid 50 

1  coal  oil  can 25 

Total $58.90 

(The  last  four  items  were  bought  at  local  store.) 


482  UNIVERSITY  OF   CALIFORNIA EXPERIMENT  STATION. 

VI. 

Testing  Apparatus,  Ferndale  Association. 

1  24-bottle  hand  Babcock  tester. 

4  dozen  Babcock  milk  test  bottles. 
3  pipettes. 

2  skim  milk  test  bottles. 

2  acid  measures  and  1  acid  glass. 

3  spring  balances  with  adjustable  pointers. 
3  sampling  dippers. 

12  dozen  sample  bottles,  each  6i  inches  high  by  1£  inches  inside  diameter,  cork  stopper. 
6  boxes  each  of  size  to  hold  2  dozen  sample  bottles. 

2  test  bottle  blocks,  each  with  holes  to  accommodate  2  dozen  bottles  in  two  rows. 
1  board  with  24  holes  of  size  to  fit  over  necks  of  test  bottles  in  above  block,  used  in 
emptying  bottles  after  test. 

1  gasoline  stove,  same  as  used  by  plumber. 

2  copper  kettles  with  faucets  to  attach  3/16"  rubber  tubing. 

1  milk  pail  for  weighing  milk.  Sample  and  test  bottles,  brushes,  sulfuric  acid,  gas- 
oline, washing  powder,  oil,  3/16  inch  rubber  hose  with  pinch  cock  and  pipette 
tip,  water  dipper,  and  milk  preserving  tablets. 


STATION    PUBLICATIONS  AVAILABLE   FOR   DISTRIBUTION. 

REPORTS. 

1896.  Report  of  the  Viticultural  Work  during  the  seasons  1887-93,  with  data  regard- 

ing the  Vintages  of  1894-95. 

1897.  Resistant  Vines,  their  Selection,  Adaptation,  and  Grafting.     Appendix  to  Viti- 

cultural Report  for  1896. 

1902.  Report  of  the  Agricultural  Experiment  Station  for  1898-1901. 

1903.  Report  of  the  Agricultural  Experiment  Station  for  1901-03. 

1904.  Twenty-second  Report  of  the  Agricultural  Experiment  Station  for  1903-04. 


BULLETINS. 


No.  128.  Nature,  Value,  and  Utilization  of 
Alkali  Lands,  and  Tolerance  of 
Alkali.  (Revised  and  Reprint, 
1905.) 

133.  Tolerance  of  Alkali  by  Various 
Cultures. 

147.  Culture  work  at  the  Sub-stations. 

162.  Commercial  Fertilizers.  (Dec.  1, 
1904.) 

164.  Poultry  Feeding  and  Proprietary 
Foods. 

167.  Manufacture    of    Dry    Wines    in 

Hot  Countries. 

168.  Observations  on  Some  Vine  Dis- 

eases in  Sonoma  County. 

169.  Tolerance  of  the  Sugar  Beet  for 

Alkali. 

170.  Studies   in    Grasshopper   Control. 

171.  Commercial     Fertilizers.       (June 

30.    1905.) 
174.  A  New  Wine-cooling  Machine. 

176.  Sugar  Beets  in  the  San  Joaquin 

Valley. 

177.  A   New    Method   of   Making   Dry 

Red  Wine. 

178.  Mosquito  Control. 

179.  Commercial      Fertilizers.      (June, 

1906.) 

181.  The  Selection  of  Seed- Wheat. 

182.  Analysis     of     Paris     Green     and 

Lead     Arsenic.     Proposed     In- 
secticide Law. 

183.  The  California  Tussock-moth. 

184.  Report   of  the  Plant   Pathologist 

to  July  1,  1906. 

185.  Report  of  Progress  in  Cereal  In- 

vestigations. 

186.  The  Oidium  of  the  Vine. 

187.  Commercial     Fertilizers.      (Janu- 

ary, 1907.) 

188.  Lining  of  Ditches  and  Reservoirs 

to  Prevent  Seepage  and  Losses. 

189.  Commercial      Fertilizers.      (June, 

1907.) 

191.  California  Peach  Blight. 

192.  Insects  Injurious  to  the  Vine  in 

California. 

193.  The  Best  Wine  Grapes  for  Cali- 

fornia ;   Pruning  Young  Vines ; 
Pruning  the  Sultanina. 

194.  Commercial     Fertilizers.       (Dec, 

1907.) 

195.  The   California  Grape  Root-worm. 


No.   197. 

198. 
199. 
201. 

202. 

203. 

204. 

205. 

206. 

207. 
208. 
209. 
210. 

211. 

212. 
213. 
214. 
215. 

216. 


217. 
218. 
219, 

220. 

221. 

222. 
223. 
224. 

225. 

226. 

227. 
228. 

229. 

230. 
231. 


Grape  Culture  in  California ;  Im- 
proved Methods  of  Wine-mak- 
ing ;  Yeast  from  California 
Grapes. 

The  Grape  Leaf-Hopper. 

Bovine  Tuberculosis. 

Commercial  Fertilizers.  (June, 
1908.) 

Commercial  Fertilizers.  (De- 
cember,   1908.) 

Report  of  the  Plant  Pathologist 
to  July  1,   1909. 

The  Dairy  Cow's  Record  and  the 
Stable. 

Commercial  Fertilizers.  (Decem- 
ber,  1909.) 

Commercial  Fertilizers.  (June, 
1910.) 

The  Control  of  the  Argentine  Ant. 

The  Late  Blight  of  Celery. 

The  Cream  Supply. 

Imperial  Valley  Settlers'  Crop 
Manual. 

How  to  Increase  the  Yield  of 
Wheat  in  California. 

California  White  Wheats. 

The   Principles  of  Wine-making. 

Citrus  Fruit  Insects. 

The  House  Fly  in  its  Relation  to 
Public  Health. 

A  Progress  Report  upon  Soil  and 
Climatic  Factors  Influencing 
the  Composition  of  Wheat. 

Honey  Plants  of  California. 

California  Plant  Diseases. 

Report  of  Live  Stock  Conditions 
in  Imperial  County,   California. 

Fumigation  Studies  No.  5  ;  Dos- 
age Tables. 

Commercial  Fertilizers.  (Oct. 
1911.) 

The  Red  or  Orange  Scale. 

The  Black  Scale. 

The  Production  of  the  Lima 
Bean. 

Tolerance  of  Eucalyptus  for 
Alkali. 

The  Purple  Scale. 

Grape  Vinegar. 

Pear  Thrips  and  Peach  Tree 
Borer. 

Hog  Cholera  and  Preventive 
Serum. 

Enological  Investigations. 

Walnut  Culture  in  California. 
Walnut  Blight. 


CIRCULARS. 


No.      1.  Texas  Fever. 

7.  Remedies  for  Insects. 
9.  Asparagus  Rust. 

11.  Fumigation   Practice. 

29.  Preliminary  Announcement  Con- 
cerning Instruction  in  Practical 
Agriculture  upon  the  Univer- 
sity Farm,  Davis,  Cal. 

46.  Suggestions  for  Garden  Work  in 
California  Schools. 

52.  Information  for  Students  Con- 
cerning the  College  of  Agricul- 
ture. 

55.  Farmers'  Institutes  and  Univer- 
sity   Extension    in    Agriculture. 

60.  Butter  Scoring  Contest,  1910. 

61.  University  Farm   School. 

62.  The  School  Garden  in  the  Course 

of  Study. 


No.  63.  How     to     Make     an     Observation 
Hive. 

65.  The  California  Insecticide  Law. 

66.  Insecticides  and  Insect  Control. 

67.  Development  of  Secondary  School 

Agriculture  in  California. 

68.  The   Prevention   of   Hog   Cholera. 

69.  The    Extermination    of    Morning- 

Glory. 

70.  Observations    on    the     Status    of 

Corn-growing    in    California. 

74.  Rice. 

75.  A  New  Leakage  Gauge. 

76.  Hot   Room   Callusing. 

77.  University   Farm    School. 

78.  Announcement  of  Farmers'   Short 

Courses  for  1912. 

79.  List  of  Insecticide  Dealers. 


